Eggplant Aubergine Summer Squash Tofu Stew Recipes

JAPANESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) WITH TOFU

Steps:

• In small saucepan over medium heat, bring sherry, dark sesame oil, garlic, ginger root, vinegar, and 1 TBS of the soy sauce to a low simmer.
• Thoroughly stir cornstarch into water until well blended and add to saucepan.
• Simmer sauce until thickened, then turn off heat, cover and set aside.
• Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat for 1 minute, then add the light sesame oil (or vegetable oil) and heat the oil for a minute.
• Add the chopped onion to the skillet, and saute until tender but not golden.
• Add the diced tofu to the skillet and saute up to 10 minutes to remove excess moisture.
• Add the eggplant and sprinkle with remaining 1 TBS of soy sauce, and saute until tender but not mushy.
• Stir in sauce.
• Serve over brown rice.

EGGPLANT AND SQUASH ALLA PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• Trim the stems from the eggplant and squash. Slice the vegetables lengthwise, no more than 1/4-inch thick. Spread the slices on one or more cooling racks, dust with salt on both sides and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 2-quart saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté on low until translucent, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium, add the tomatoes, pepper and bay leaf and cook, breaking up the tomatoes, a few minutes. Reduce heat and simmer the sauce for 20 minutes more. Remove bay leaf and check seasoning.
• Rinse eggplant and squash slices and pat them dry. Dredge lightly with flour. Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons oil in a large skillet. Fry the eggplant and squash until lightly browned, in several shifts, placing fried slices on paper towel to drain.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 10-inch glass pie plate with oil. Spread a very thin layer of the tomato sauce in the pie plate. Add a layer of the eggplant, cutting slices to fit if necessary. Try to arrange them like spokes of a wheel. Spread a little more sauce over them, then the squash slices, then the mozzarella and another layer of eggplant. Finish with the remaining sauce, the Parmigiano-Reggiano and the parsley.
• Bake about 30 minutes, until bubbling and lightly browned on top. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

SWEET-AND-SPICY ROASTED TOFU AND SQUASH

Steps:

• Drain tofu and slice into 1/2-inch-thick slabs. Cut each slab in half. Arrange tofu on a large baking sheet or several plates lined with several layers of paper towels. Place another layer of paper towels on top and weigh down tofu with another baking sheet or more plates topped with a heavy cookbook or cans. Let stand for 20 minutes. Pat tofu dry.
• While tofu drains, heat oven to 425 degrees. Cut squash into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons. Cut each slice in half again.
• In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sriracha and a pinch of salt. Whisk in peanut oil. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the mixture into a separate bowl and reserve. Whisk honey into the original mixture. Spread squash out on a large baking sheet and pour honey-soy mixture over it. Sprinkle squash lightly with salt and pepper and toss well. Roast until bottoms are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Flip and roast until uniformly golden and soft, about 10 minutes more. Transfer squash to a large bowl.
• Adjust the heat to broil and position a rack just below the heating element. Toss tofu with reserved soy mixture and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet (you can use the same one you used for the squash). Cook until crispy and golden, about 2 minutes per side. Toss hot tofu with squash, sesame seeds and celery leaves, adding more soy sauce if you like.